Security

Enhanced Online Security FAQs

General

Getting Started

Challenge Questions

Remote access

Un-register a computer

Multiple Users and Multiple Browsers

More about Cookies

 

General

Q.  What is Enhanced Online Security?
A.  Enhanced Online Security is a security feature that adds an additional layer of protection to validate members when they log into our Web Banking service. This layer includes registering the computer you use when you login for Web Banking.

Q. How does Enhanced Online Security work?
A. Enhanced Online Security feature identifies you as the true owner of your account(s) in  two  ways:

1. Verifying your Account identity by asking Challenge Questions if you are on computer you don’t normally use, Or
2. By recognizing the Computer(s) you normally use for Web Banking.

Enhanced Online Security remembers your computer by assigning a unique identifier (cookie) to each computer you use to access Web Banking.  The cookie is used to store the identification information only.  No personal or private data is stored. If you do not have cookies enabled you will have to enable them for Enhanced Online Security to work.

Q. Is Enhanced Online Security required for Web Banking, or is it optional?
A. Enhanced Online Security is required.

Q. How does this benefit me?
A. The Enhanced Online Security will prevent anyone but you from accessing your accounts through Web Banking - even if they should have your Account Number and Passcode.  The Web Banking system will not allow access from the computer they are using and they will not know the answer to the Challenge Questions you have selected.

Q. Does Enhanced Online Security prevent Phishing?
A. No. Enhanced Online Security only increases the difficulty of anyone other than you from logging in to your Web Banking account.

Q. Is Enhanced Online Security fool-proof?
A. No. If someone has access to your Account Number and Passcode and either a computer you have registered or the answers to your Challenge Questions, they could log in to your account.

Q. In a nutshell, how do I use Enhanced Online Security?
A. You can register as many computers as you want. We strongly recommend that you only register the computers that you frequently use to access Web Banking.  Then, you only have to enter your Account Number and Passcode to access Web Banking from those computers.

If you want to access Web Banking from a computer that you haven’t registered, you simply answer two Challenge Questions after you successfully enter your Account Number and Passcode.

Never give anyone your Web Banking Passcode or answers to your Challenge Questions.

Q. What happens if someone compromises my Web Banking Passcode?  How will Enhanced Online Security prevent them from accessing my accounts with Web Banking?
A.  If someone tries to log on to your Web Banking account from a computer that you did not register for Enhanced Online Security, they will be asked to answer both of your Challenge Questions.  Since they will not be able to answer the questions correctly, they will not be able to login.

 

Getting Started

Q. How do I register my computer?
A. There are 3 simple steps after you log in:

  • First, register your Account by selecting and answering two Challenge Questions. These questions will be used to verify your Account identity if you access Web Banking from a computer you don’t normally use.
  • When you’re done, click Continue and your Account is registered! You will then be taken to the Enhanced Online Security Options page that allows you to register your Computer.
  • Next, Select “Yes. I would like to add extra protection now.”


Q. Can I register more than one computer?
A. Yes. You can register as many computers as you want. However, in order to register that computer, you must login at the computer you wish to register. We recommend you only register computers that you frequently use to access Web Banking.

If you are using a computer that is accessed by numerous users (i.e. at a library), we recommend that you do not register your account on that computer. Instead, we recommend that you login and answer the two Challenge Questions.

Q. What does Enhanced Online Security registration actually do?
A. The registration process adds an additional layer of security to the Web Banking service. It allows the Web Banking system to recognize the computer you are using by placing a cookie on your computer.

Q. How is the unique identifier (cookie) added?
A. The cookie is added to your Browser and will allow the Web Banking system to uniquely identify the computer as one you have authorized for accessing your Web Banking account.

Q. What happens after the unique identifier (cookie) is added to my computer as the second layer of security?
A. Whenever you successfully login to Web banking from that computer, you will be recognized and go immediately into Web Banking.

 

Challenge Questions

Q. What are the Challenge Questions for?
A. The Challenge Questions are used for two purposes:

  • If you want to access Web Banking from a computer that you have not registered, and
  • If you forget your Passcode, you can re-set yourself without having to call Direct Federal.


Q. Can I change the Challenge Questions?
A. Yes.  You can change the Challenge Questions at any time by going to User Options and selecting Challenge Question Setup.

Q. Can I make up my own Challenge Questions?
A. No. You must select one question from each list provided.

Q. I tried to log on to Web Banking from my own computer, but I'm being asked to provide the answers to my Challenge Questions.  Why is this happening?
A. This might happen if you deleted cookies from your computer.  Before answering the Challenge question   or entering your password, make sure you are accessing our Web Banking web site.  The easiest way to ensure this is by typing the address for the Direct’s web site (www.direct.com) into your browser's address window, then click the Member Login link.  Then answer your Challenge Questions.

 

Remote access

Q. What if I try to access Web Banking from a computer that I haven’t registered?
A. You will be asked to answer two Challenge Questions after successfully entering your Passcode.

Q. Can I register that computer so I don’t have to answer the Challenge Questions again from that computer?
A. Yes.  After answering the Questions, go to User Options and select the Enhanced Online Security link. Follow the instructions to register that computer.

Q. Why not register every computer that I use?
A. We recommend you only register the computers that you frequently use to access Web Banking for increased security. Every computer you register has your unique cookie installed.  Should someone gain access to your Account Number and Passcode, they can access Web banking from any computer you have registered.

 

Un-register a computer

Q. Can I un-register a computer?
A. Yes. After logging in to Web Banking, go to User Options, select the Enhanced Online Security link and select “remove extra security from this computer”.

Q. Can I un-register all the computers that I have designated?
A. Yes. After logging in to Web Banking, go to User Options, select the Enhanced Online Security link and select “remove extra security protection on all computers”.

Q. Can I un-register specific computers?
A. No.  You can un-register the computer you are currently using or all of the computers that you have registered.

Q. Can I re-enroll a computer?
A. Yes. After logging in to Web Banking and answering the Challenge Questions, you can re-register that computer. Follow the instructions to register that computer.

 

Multiple Users on the Same Computer and Multiple Browsers on the same Computer

Q. I have other people that access Direct Federal Web Banking from a computer I registered.  Is that okay?
A. Yes. The computer will store unique identifiers (cookies) to identify those members.

Q. I use Microsoft Explorer and Firefox on my desktop.  Can I use both to access Web Banking?
A. Yes.  The cookie is stored in the Browser software to identify the computer.  If you use multiple browsers, you must login to Web Banking and enter your account number and passcode and answer your questions.

 

More about Cookies

Q. What exactly is “cookie”?
A. It is a message given to your Web browser by our Web server. Your browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

Q. Do I have to re-enroll Enhanced Online Security when I delete cookies on my browser?
A. No. The system uses your computer hardware and software information to recognize you are a valid user. If you delete your cookies, the information is no longer available to authenticate your login. You will be prompted to answer one of your Challenge Questions.

Q. Is there any personal information or text in the cookie?
A. No. It is encrypted, and no externally identifiable end user information is stored in it.

Q. If I am using a public computer, what happens with the cookie?
A. Unless you register the public computer by going to the Enhanced Online Security section in the User Options, no cookie will be placed on the public computer.  We strongly recommend that you do not register public computers.

 

 

 

 
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Member Service Associates are available to answer your questions Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at 781.455.6500.